Astronomy buffs in Oxfordshire were excited to hear that a huge mystery planet may be shrouded within our solar system.

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology believe they have discovered a ninth planetary object – dubbed Planet Nine – after noticing that distant objects were orbiting the sun in a different way. 

Astronomers in the county were amazed to hear about the revelation as it broke on Wednesday.

Hayley Smith, assistant head teacher at Space Studio Banbury, said: "I've been following it with interest. It's a rare thing. There's only been two new planets discovered since ancient times."

The 32-year-old, who has a degree in astrophysics, said the planet was a likely possibility even though scientists aren't certain.

She said: "Something large is influencing the objects in orbit – something is driving it."

Michael Soper, spokesperson for Contact International UFO Research based in Wheatley, said: "It's very interesting because Babylonian myth talked of a huge planet in elliptical orbit which is just like this one. 

"Trekkies (Star Trek fans) could imagine it's the Borg coming to visit. It certainly opens up many possibilities."

Mark Richardson, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Oxford's astrophysics department, said: "It's quite a planet if it is out there. Kids grow up and get excited about memorising names of planets – they captivate kids. 

"This expands that idea."

But Ian Smith, chairman of Abingdon Astronomy Society, pointed out it was not for definite.

He said: "It's an interesting piece of news but these claims crop up every few years. There's no definite observation, it's just been done on computer modelling."

The original planet nine – Pluto – was reclassified in 2006 after it was found to be just one of thousands of similar objects orbiting the sun in the far-flung reaches of the solar system.